TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino reports on the 2017 draft class being welcomed to Gillette, with Robert Kraft impressed by the collective size of the players: DE Derek Rivers (6-5), DL Deatrich Wise (6-5), and tackles Antonio Garcia (6-6) and Conor McDermott (6-8).
- Don Banks offers some thoughts on whether 30-something RBs Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles can resurrect their careers on new teams.
- Press Conference Transcript: Derek Rivers.
- Patriots Today - Meet the Patriots 2017 draft class. (1.25 min. video)
- Robert Kraft: Hard work and perseverance was the real story of the Patriots Super Bowl win. (3 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Jeff Howe writes a solid piece on the rookies being introduced to the local media as well as to their new lives as professionals, including a hands-on lesson from Deatrich Wise on getting caught in traffic.
- Mark Daniels reports the Patriots welcomed their 2017 rookie class - all four of them, instead of just the traditional first pick - to Gillette Stadium yesterday.
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Ryan Hannable analyzes this year's unusual draft for the Patriots, noting that with the risks, the team is relying on their great coaching staff to turn them into starters.
- Nick O'Malley gives us 10 plays (with gifs) that show how Derek Rivers can make an impact.
- Kevin Duffy tells us how Derek Rivers went from barely recruited in high school to Youngstown State to the New England Patriots.
- Phil Perry notes Derek Rivers admits he's "going to be starstruck" when he meets Tom Brady.
- Ryan Hannable finds rookie DE Derek Rivers is already focused on helping the team get another Super Bowl.
- Hector Longo (All22) Patriots rookie Derek Rivers inherits Chandler Jones number, expectations.
- Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) 5 Patriots whose roster spots are in jeopardy after 2017 NFL Draft.
- Mike Reiss mentions the Patriots potentially going the Nate Ebner rubgy route again, bringing Aussie Brock Davies in for a look.
- Mike Reiss spotlights the athleticism and multi-sport skills on display Wednesday night, as five Patriots players visited Westwood High School for an "all-star" basketball game.
- Doug Kyed Patriots Mailbag: Why versatility is required out of Derek Rivers.
- Jim McBride Patriots Notebook: Derek Rivers can't wait to get started; Robert Kraft excited about size of small draft class.
- Mike 'Angry Giardi' gives us the real story on the Malcolm Butler situation with the Patriots . (3.23 min. video) /Butler made unbelievable play in SB XLIV, but Pats' coaching helped too.
- CBS Boston suggests Scott Zolak's little birdies inside Gillette Stadium indicate that the Patriots and Malcolm Butler are talking contract extension.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Evan Lazar (ProFoottballCentral) Initial 53-man roster projection, vets on the bubble, practice squaders.
- Will Brinson (CBS Sports) NFL Draft Reset: How the Patriots won the draft before it even began.
- Conor Orr (NFL.com) Falcons GM: We're looking forward to Pats rematch.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Michael Floyd talks to Vikings, may sign after compensatory pick deadline.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Here are the 32 make-or-break players who must step up for their teams in 2017. Patriots: Kony Ealy.
- Chase Goodbread (NFL.com) 2017 NFL Draft: Five teams that added most talent on offense.
- Eric Single (SI) NFL Power Rankings: Which teams improved the most this off-season? No. 1 Patriots.
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Alex Putterman (Awful Announcing) Fox reportedly hires Jay Cutler to replace John Lynch in the broadcast booth.